LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Zuni Indians: Animals
built 615 days ago
Not to be confused with sexual fetishes, Zuni fetishes are small (several inches long at most) carvings from various stones, made by the Zuni Indians. These carvings serve a ceremonial purpose for their creators, or they can be sold, with non-religious intentions, to collectors worldwide. Typically they depict animals such as horses, wolves, bears, buffalo and others. Insects, reptiles, or dinosaurs may even be the subject of the artist. Materials used are often stones such as turquoise, fishrock, jasper, pipestone, marble, or organic items such as bone and deer or elk antler. Even artificial substances such as slag glass are used.
Source:
The Zuni Indians appreciate nature and all animals and take great joy and pride in carving them. It is not unusual to see parrots, dinosaurs, bats and other animals being carved today.The Zuni are ... known for their silver and turquoise jewelry. Some of their inlay jewelry will feature animals, also.
Source:
Although each animal has a different power, Zuni carvers maintain that their carvings are not endowed with the power of the animal, unless blessed by a medicine man for a specific purpose. This blessing endows the fetish with powers governing fecundity, success in hunting, diagnosis and healing of disease, luck in gambling, or luck in general.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Animals